Caucasian Sketches - Caucasian Sketches, Suite No. 2

Caucasian Sketches, Suite No. 2, Op. 42 Iveria (1896) was written after the composer moved to Moscow. The suite contains an introduction and four sketches. The first sketch is the tantalizing, oppressive Lamentation of Princess Ketevana. It is followed by Berceuse (French for lullaby). Then comes Lesghinka, a manic song that becomes rambunctious near the end. And the final sketch is the Georgian March, a very lively song which sounds like a military march and makes much use of the woodwinds and chimes.

Suite No. 2 is also called Iveria (Iberia), the name given by the Greeks and Romans to the ancient kingdom of Kartli, corresponding roughly to the eastern and southern parts of the country of Georgia today.

Read more about this topic:  Caucasian Sketches